Everything Starts with Strong Communities.

Rachel Hansen | editor

This weekend I had an epiphany of sorts, "a sudden perception of the essential nature or meaning of something."

These last few months have been packed. Honestly, since COVID when the rest of the world essentially stopped, I feel like we've been moving a million miles a second and barely able to catch our breath. Take for example, Forest Festival's Timber Days–impromptu monthly car shows and movies in the park. I swore once I got to host a outdoor showing of The Princess Bride my event goals had been reached. But no. We also took on a few years of Christmastown events, a bunch of tree mazes and helped out a couple other events that were struggling to regain traction after two years of uncertainty.

At times we wonder what it is all for? Especially those events when no one shows and the streets are filled with vendors and volunteers who were convinced to join your crusade. Yes, it happens.

Or the negative posts on Facebook that insist the volunteer run project should be done differently. These moments can make it hard to remember: "Why?"

But today I almost had an epiphany. While attending Shelton Dance Center's Mother's Day annual recital, I weaved through the audience crowd (this is a BIG event in Shelton) to use the restroom and as I was returning to get in line I felt compelled to offer help to the ticket–taker, Michelle Crow. It wasn't much but Michelle smiled brightly, she has a beautiful smile, and replied, "here, you can help hand out programs."

For the next thirty minutes I pulled apart the pink show programs as fast as my dry fingers could separate the copies (since COVID we don't lick our fingers in the produce section or public anymore).

The families filed in, each person laden with flowers for their performers.

Working alongside Leanne Gunther, Jennifer Renecker, and Michelle, we knew nearly every person that walked through the door. They expressed a steady stream of smiles, kind and knowing words, and goodwill. Afterwards I watched hundreds of kids, including my own, perform on stage. They gave their best efforts, their parents were proud. Everyone laughed, cheered, and applauded. Farewells were made to the graduating seniors, and the dancers were congratulated with flowers.

There you have it. This is community. This is why. Humans are social creatures. We all need interactions, especially positive ones. Whether at work, school, events, or in our cul de sac, each community make us feel whole with a sense of belonging.

Recently we took on another big picture idea. Despite incredulation from our friends and families, we purchased KMAS 1030 AM/103.3 FM with friend, former host, and radio guru, Jeff Slakey.

The radio station just celebrated its 60th anniversary and was facing imminent closure. Some may feel that radio is dead. Others may speculate that it will never work. I would argue the 'big picture' takes incredulous ideas to really see results.

Our hopes to restore the station back to its former glory evokes visions of listeners driving HWY 106 or 101 between our beautiful communities–tuning in for great music, news, weather, local insights and voices, or event interviews. Before you know it, the miles of road will no longer separate us. Belfair, Allyn, Shelton, Lilliwaup, Hoodsport, Matlock – one community united by a single voice over the air. This is why. Community is about communicating and making connections. I am proud Tracing the Fjord has been sharing our area's amazing tales and events for over six years. I look forward to seeing how the radio can help further those connections. So, tune into KMAS 1030AM/103.3FM or on your computer streaming at tracingthefjord.com. Like print better? That's ok, you have a whole magazine to read. Most of all, get involved in your community. You too may almost have an epiphany.